E-mail status notification system and method

ABSTRACT

A system for alerting e-mail activity status. The system has at least one e-mail server for integrating N e-mail accounts, at least one second server communicating with the e-mail server adapted to monitor at the e-mail server; at least one computer readable medium (CRM) adapted to receiving an e-mail alert wherein the second server identifies activity status in the e-mail server according to a set of predetermined parameters. The second server alerts the CRM on the activity status. The parameters may consist of entries to e-mail accounts type of actions performed in an e-mail account and other activities and events. The invention further comprises methods of applying the aforementioned system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/894,003 filed on Feb. 12, 2018, which is a Continuation-in-Part (CIP)of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/900,175 filed on Dec. 21, 2015,which claims the benefit of priority of PCT Patent Application No.PCT/IB2014/062616 having International Filing Date of Jun. 26, 2014,which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/839,398 filed on Jun. 26, 2013. The contents of theabove applications are all incorporated by reference as if fully setforth herein in their entirety

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of transferring electronicdata between electronic devices, more specifically, it relates to thefield of transferring data relating to a presence status of a user.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, instant messaging services provide the availability(presence status) of a user, informing his friends whether the user isavailable for communication, whether he is online or whether he is busy,various presence statuses are available to enhance user experience.

However, for E-mail services, there was little change in the lastdecade, and the presence information related to this service, ifavailable, is based on the user's instant messaging account and itsrelated status.

For example, US 20080244026 patent application “Real-Time Notificationof Presence Changes” discloses notifying a user from a group of users onthe presence status of another user from the same group. However, theapplication does not disclose notification of an e-mail status, itnotifies only on the presence status for communication. There istherefore a long unmet need for a system that will notify users on thepresence status of an e-mail account or user using an intelligent ruleengine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is hence one object of the invention to disclose a system foralerting on an e-mail activity status. The system comprises: (a) atleast one e-mail apparatus preprogrammed for executing a first set ofinstructions thereon for integrating N e-mail accounts; said N is aninteger larger than zero; (b) at least one second apparatus being incommunication with said e-mail apparatus; said at least one secondapparatus adapted to monitor at least one of said e-mail apparatus; (c)at least one memory unit adapted for receiving an e-mail alert.

It is a core purpose of the invention to provide at least one secondapparatus identifying activity status in at least one of said e-mailapparatus according to a set of predetermined parameters; furtherwherein said at least one second apparatus alerts said memory unit onsaid activity status.

Another object of the invention is to disclose a method for alerting onan e-mail activity status. The method comprises steps of: (a) connectingan e-mail apparatus integrating N e-mail accounts via a monitorapparatus; said N is an integer larger than zero; (b) monitoringactivity of a first e-mail account selected from said N e-mail accountsby means of said monitor apparatus; (c) providing a memory adapted toreceive an e-mail alert from at least one of said N e-mail accounts.

It is another core purpose of the invention to provide the methodadditionally comprises steps of: (a) determining activity status of saide-mail apparatus according to a set of predetermined parameters; and (b)alerting said memory on said activity status.

A further object of the invention is to disclose a system for alertingan e-mail activity status. The system comprises: (a) a first memory unithaving a first set instructions thereon for: (i) executing a pluralityof N actions; and (ii) retrieving information associated with at leastone e-mail account; said N is an integer larger than zero; (b) at leastone apparatus in communication with said first memory; said at least oneapparatus is adapted to monitor performance of at least one first actionselected from said N actions; (c) a second memory unit having a secondset instructions thereon for receiving notification associated with saidfirst action.

It is a further core purpose of the invention to provide at least oneapparatus determines activity status of said e-mail account according toa set of predetermined parameters; said predetermined parameters are inassociation with said performance of said at least one first action;further wherein said at least one apparatus alerts said second memoryunit on said e-mail activity status.

A further object of the invention is to disclose a method for alertingan e-mail activity status. The method comprises steps of (a)communicating by a monitor apparatus, to a first memory unit operating Nactions; one of said actions is retrieving information associated withat least one e-mail account; said N is an integer larger than zero; (b)monitoring performance of at least one first action selected from said Nactions; (c) communicating monitored performance of said first action tosecond memory unit.

It is a further core purpose of the invention to provide the methodadditionally comprising steps of (a) determining activity status of saide-mail account according to a set of predetermined parameters by saidmonitor apparatus; (b) alerting said SCRM on said e-mail activity statusby said monitor apparatus.

A further object of the invention is to disclose a system for alertingan e-mail activity status. The system comprises: (a) a first memory unithaving a first set of instructions thereon for: (i) executing aplurality of N actions; and (ii) retrieving information associated withat least one e-mail account; said first memory unit having at least oneidentification parameter; said N is an integer larger than zero; (b) atleast one first apparatus in communication with said first memory unit;said at least one first apparatus receives notification of: (i) at leastone first action selected from said N actions; and (ii) said at leastone identification parameter; (c) at least one second apparatus incommunication with said first apparatus; said at least one secondapparatus adapted to monitor performance of at least one of said firstaction; (d) a second memory unit having a second set of instructionsthereon for communicating with said first action; wherein said at leastone second apparatus determines activity status of said e-mail accountaccording to (a) a set of predetermined parameters; and (b) said atleast one identification parameter; said predetermined parameters are inassociation with said performance of said at least one first action;said at least one apparatus alerts said memory unit_on said activitystatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may beimplemented in practice, a few preferred embodiments will now bedescribed, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to beaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates in a non-limiting manner a system for notifying on ane-mail presence status via an e-mail apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows in a non-limiting manner a system notifying on an e-mailpresence status via an e-mail client;

FIG. 3 describes in a non-limiting manner a system for notifying on ane-mail presence status via scan of actions performed on a deviceassociated with the e-mail account;

FIG. 4 reveals in a non-limiting manner a system for notifying on ane-mail presence status via scan of an apparatus operating actionsperformed on a device associated with the e-mail account;

FIG. 5 illustrates in a non-limiting manner a method for notifying on ane-mail presence status via an e-mail apparatus;

FIG. 6 shows in a non-limiting manner a method for notifying on ane-matt presence status via an e-mail client;

FIG. 7 describes in a non-limiting manner a method for notifying on ane-mail presence status via scan of actions performed on a deviceassociated with the e-mail account;

FIG. 8 reveals in a non-limiting manner a method for notifying on ane-mail presence status via scan of an apparatus operating actionsperformed on a device associated with the e-mail account;

FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed structure of a system for detecting andnotifying e-mail presence status; and

FIG. 10 describes a schematic view of a system for notification of ane-mail presence status divided into “client side” and “server side”.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following description is provided so as to enable any person skilledin the art to make use of the invention and sets forth examplescontemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Variousmodifications, however, will remain apparent to those skilled in theart, since the generic principles of the present invention have beendefined specifically. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseologyand terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description andshould not be regarded as limiting. It is one object of the currentinvention to disclose a first system for alerting an e-mail activitystatus comprising: a. at least one e-mail apparatus having firstinstructions thereon for integrating N e-mail accounts; N is an integerlarger than zero; b. at least one second apparatus in communication withthe e-mail apparatus; at least one second apparatus is adapted tomonitor at least one of the e-mail apparatus; c. at least one memoryunit in communication with at least one of the N e-mail accounts;wherein at least one second apparatus identifies activity status in atleast one of the e-mail apparatus according to a set of predeterminedparameters; further wherein at least one second apparatus alerts the CRMon the activity status.

It is one object of the current invention to disclose a first method foralerting on an e-mail activity status comprising steps of; a. connectingvia a monitor apparatus, to an e-mail apparatus integrating N accounts;N is an integer larger than zero; b. monitoring via said monitorapparatus, activity of a first e-mail account selected from the N e-mailaccounts; c. providing a memory unit communicating with at least one ofthe N e-mail accounts; wherein the method additionally comprising stepsof: d. determining activity status of the e-mail apparatus according toa set of predetermined parameters; and e. alerting the memory unit onthe activity status.

It is one object of the current invention to disclose a second systemfor alerting on an e-mail activity status comprising: a. at least onee-mail client having first instructions thereon for integrating N e-mailaccounts; N is an integer larger than zero; b. at least one apparatus incommunication with the e-mail client; at least one apparatus is adaptedto monitor at least one of the e-mail client; c. at least one memoryunit in communication with at least one of the N e-mail accounts;wherein at least one apparatus identifies activity status in at leastone of e-mail client according to a set of predetermined parameters;further wherein at least one apparatus alerts the memory unit on theactivity status.

It is one object of the current invention to disclose a second methodfor alerting on an e-mail activity status comprising steps of: a.connecting via a monitor apparatus, to an e-mail client integrating Ne-mail accounts; N is an integer larger than zero; b. monitoring via themonitor apparatus, the activity of a first e-mail account selected fromthe N e-mail accounts; c. providing a computer readable medium (CRM)communicating with one of the N e-mail accounts; wherein said methodadditionally comprising steps of: d. determining activity status of thee-mail client according to a set of predetermined parameters; andalerting the CRM on the activity status.

It is one object of the current invention to disclose a third system foralerting an e-mail activity status comprising: a. a first memory unithaving first instructions thereon for (i) executing a plurality of Nactions; and (ii) retrieving information associated at least one e-mailaccount; N is an integer larger than zero; b. at least one apparatus incommunication with the first memory unit; at least one apparatus isadapted to monitor performance of at least one first action selectedfrom the N actions; c. a second memory unit having second instructionsthereon for communicating with the first action; wherein at least oneapparatus determines activity status of the e-mail account according toa set of predetermined parameters; the predetermined parameters are inassociation with the performance of at least one first action; furtherwherein said at least one apparatus alerts the second memory unit on thee-mail activity status.

It is one object of the current invention to disclose a third method foralerting an e-mail activity status comprising: a. communicating by amonitor apparatus, to a first memory unit operating N actions; one ofthe actions is retrieving information associated with at least onee-mail account; said N is an integer larger than zero; b. monitoring bythe monitor apparatus, performance of at least one first action selectedfrom the N actions; c. communicating between a second memory unit andthe e-mail account; wherein the method additionally comprising steps of:d. determining by the monitor apparatus activity status of the e-mailaccount according to a set of predetermined parameters; e. alerting thesecond memory unit on the e-mail activity is by the monitor apparatus.

It is one object of the current invention to disclose a fourth systemfor alerting an e-mail activity status comprising: a. a first memoryunit having first instructions thereon for (i) executing a plurality ofN actions; and (ii) retrieving information associated at least onee-mail account; the first memory unit is having at least oneidentification parameter; N is an integer larger than zero; b. at leastone first apparatus in communication with the first memory unit; atleast one first apparatus receives notification of (i) at least onefirst action selected from the N actions; and (ii) at least oneidentification parameter; c. at least one second apparatus incommunication with the first apparatus; at least one second apparatus isadapted to monitor performance of at least one of the first action; d. asecond memory unit having second instructions thereon for communicatingwith the first action; wherein at least one second apparatus determinesactivity status of the e-mail account according to (i) a set ofpredetermined parameters; and (ii) at least one identificationparameter; the predetermined parameters are in association with theperformance of at least one first action; further wherein at least oneapparatus alerts the second memory unit on the activity status.

It is one object of the current invention to disclose a fourth methodfor alerting an e-mail activity status comprising: a. communicatingbetween (i) at least one software operating on a first memory unitassociated with at least one e-mail account; and (ii) the softwareserver; b. receiving by the software server: (i) notification onactivity software; and (ii) identification of the memory unit; c.communicating between (i) a monitor apparatus; and (ii) the softwareserver; d. monitoring by the monitor memory unit, performance of thesoftware; e. communicating between a second memory unit and the e-mailaccount; wherein the method additionally comprising steps of: f.determining by the monitor apparatus activity status of the e-mailaccount according to a set of predetermined parameters; the parametersare in association with the performance of said software g. alerting thesecond memory unit on the e-mail activity status by the monitor memoryunit.

The term “e-mail presence status” refers hereinafter to any indicatorwhich conveys ability and willingness status of a potentialcommunication partner. This ability or willingness may be described asindicating whether the communication partner is “online/active” or anyother status providing information on his availability. For example:“sent e-mail 5 minutes ago” “offline since 10 minutes ago”, “active onFacebook”, “reads messages”, “online with no actions taken in e-mail”etc.

The term “application”, refers hereinafter to any software programadapted to be installed on a computer readable medium (for example: asmartphone).

The abbreviation “GUI” refers hereinafter to GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE.

The abbreviation “MUA” refers hereinafter to MAIL USER AGENT.

The abbreviation “WUA” refers hereinafter to Watcher User Agent

The abbreviation “SMTP” refers hereinafter to SIMPLE MAIL TRANSFERPROTOCOL.

The abbreviation “IMPP” refers hereinafter to INSTANT MESSAGING ANDPRESENCE PROTOCOL.

The abbreviation “MVP” refers hereinafter to EXTENSIBLE MESSAGING ANDPRESENCE PROTOCOL.

The abbreviation “API” refers hereinafter to APPLICATION PROGRAMMINGINTERFACE.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating in a non-limiting the firstsystem 100 for alerting on an e-mail activity status. The first system100 comprises an e-mail apparatus 101. The e-mail apparatus integrates aplurality of e-mail accounts 102 a-c. At least one of these e-mailaccounts, for example, account 102 b, is in communication with a memory104. There is a monitoring apparatus 103 connected to both the e-mailapparatus 101 and the memory unit 104. The aforesaid memory unit 104communicates with the e-mail account 102 b. The purpose of the currentinvention is to notify the memory unit 104 on the e-mail presence statusof the e-mail account 102 user. The memory unit 104 receives this e-mailpresence status notification via the monitor server 103 which is adaptedto scan the e-mail server 101 and decide on the e-mail presence statusaccording to predetermined parameters regarding activity within thee-mail account 102 b. Predetermined parameters might include amongothers any action performed on the e-mail account (e.g. login, logout,account activation, password change) or on one or more of the e-mailswithin the account (e.g. read, delete, mark as unread, forward, scrollup or down, mouse move, reply, share, move folder, label, openattachment, click on a link or any interaction or manipulation with anyinstance of said e-mail, any interaction or manipulation of any subsetor derivative of said e-mails and a combination thereof).

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 illustrating in a non-limiting manner asecond system 200 for alerting on an e-mail presence status. The secondsystem 200 comprising at least one e-mail client 201 integrating aplurality of e-mail accounts 202 a-c, at least one of these e-mailaccounts 202 a-c, for example, e-mail account 202 b is connected to amemory 204. A monitor apparatus 203 is adapted to connect to the e-mailclient 201 in order to monitor the activity in one or more of the e-mailaccounts 202 a-c. Once the monitor detected the above mentioned activityis uses a predetermined set of parameters in order to set the e-mailpresence status of the e-mail client 201. This e-mail status is sent viathe monitor apparatus 203 to the memory unit 204.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, illustrating in a non-limiting manner athird system 300 for detecting an e-mail account 302 e-mail presencestatus. The e-mail account 302 is communicating with a first memory unit301 having different actions 303 a-d executing on it (for example, bymeans of an installed software or as part of the operating systeminstalled on it). A monitoring apparatus 304 communicates with at leastone of the actions 303 a-d, for example, action 303 c. The purpose ofthe monitoring apparatus 304 is to detect certain predeterminedparameters related to activity of the specific action 304 d. Once themonitoring apparatus 304 has detected these predetermined parameters ofactivity, it sets the e-mail presence status of the e-mail account 302.At this point, the monitoring apparatus 304 is adapted to notify asecond memory unit 305 on the e-mail presence status of e-mail account302.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 illustrating in a non-limiting manner afourth system 400 for notifying on an e-mail presence status. The fourthsystem 400 comprises a first memory unit 401 having a plurality ofactions 403 a-d executing on it (for example, by means of installedsoftware or as part of the operating system installed on it). At leastone of these actions 403 a-d is connected to an action apparatus 404operating the action 403 c. This action apparatus 404 is monitored by amonitoring apparatus 405 having a set of predetermined parameters fordeciding on e-mail presence status of the e-mail account. Thesepredetermined parameters are related to the activity of the monitoredaction 403 c. The e-mail presence status is determined by the monitorserver 405 and reported to a second memory unit 406 which communicateswith the action 403 c.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, illustrating in a non-limiting manner afirst method 500 for alerting on an e-mail activity status comprising:a. step 501 of connecting via a monitor apparatus, to an e-mail serverintegrating N e-mail accounts; N is an integer larger than zero; b. step502 of monitoring activity of a first e-mail account selected from the Ne-mail accounts by said monitor apparatus; c. step 503 of providing amemory unit communicating with at least one of the N e-mail accounts.The method additionally comprising steps of: step 504 of determiningactivity status of the e-mail apparatus according to a set ofpredetermined parameters; and step 505 of alerting the memory unit onthe activity status.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 illustrating in a non-limiting a secondmethod 600 for alerting on an e-mail activity status comprising: a. step601 of connecting an e-mail client integrating N e-mail accounts to amonitor apparatus; N is an integer larger than zero; b. step 602 ofmonitoring the activity of a first e-mail account selected from the Ne-mail accounts by the monitor server; c. step 603 of providing a memoryunit communicating with at least one of the N e-mail accounts. Themethod additionally comprises steps of: step 604 of determining activitystatus of the e-mail client according to a set of predeterminedparameters; and step 605 alerting the memory unit on the activitystatus.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 illustrating in a non-limiting a thirdmethod 700 for alerting an e-mail activity comprises: a. step 701 ofcommunicating by a monitor server, to a first memory unit operating Nactions which includes retrieving information associated with at leastone e-mail account; said N is an integer larger than zero; b. step 702of monitoring performance of at least one first action selected from theN actions by the monitor apparatus; c. step 703 of communicating betweena second memory unit and the e-mail account. The method additionallycomprising steps of: step 704 of determining activity status of thee-mail account by the monitor apparatus according to a set ofpredetermined parameters; and step 705 of alerting the second memoryunit on the e-mail activity status by the monitor apparatus.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 illustrating in a non-limiting a fourthmethod 800 for alerting an email activity status comprising; a. step 801of communicating between (i) at least one software operating on a firstmemory unit associated with at least one e-mail account; and (ii) thesoftware server; b. step 802 of receiving by the software server: (i)notification on activity of the software; and (ii) identification of thememory unit; c. step 803 of communicating between (i) a monitorapparatus; and (ii) the software server; d. step 804 of monitoringperformance of the software by the monitor apparatus; e. step 805 ofcommunicating between a second memory unit and the e-mail account. Themethod additionally comprises steps of: step 806 of determining activitystatus of the e-mail account according to a set of predeterminedparameters by the monitor apparatus; the parameters are in associationwith the performance of said software; and step 807 of alerting thesecond memory unit on the e-mail activity status by the monitor server.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,wherein the parameters are selected from a group consisting of: numberof entries to an e-mail account selected from said N e-mail accounts,type of actions performed in an e-mail account selected from said Ne-mail accounts, time length of being active in an e-mail accountselected from said N e-mail accounts.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,wherein either one of the memory unit, first memory unit and secondmemory unit is integrated in a device selected from a group consistingof: mobile device, personal computer, tablet, laptop and any otherelectronic device comprising communication mean.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,wherein each of at least one e-mail server or e-mail client or e-mailaccount comprises different set of parameter for identification of theactivity status.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,communication between either one of memory unit, first memory unit andsecond memory unit and with at least one of the N e-mail accounts isdone via a third party.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,wherein the parameters are determined by external activity statussoftware.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,wherein either one of server, monitor server or second server stores themonitor data in a data base.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,wherein either one of server, monitor server or second server alerts atleast one of said N e-mail accounts on said activity status.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,additionally comprising at least one blocking module integrated ineither on In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one ofthe above mentioned first system, second system, third system, fourthsystem, first method, second method, third method or fourth method isdisclosed, e of e-mail server, e-mail client or e-mail account adaptedto block the monitoring.

In one embodiment of the current invention, at least one of the abovementioned first system, second system, third system, fourth system,first method, second method, third method or fourth method is disclosed,wherein said monitoring server additionally analyses activity of saiduser of said e-mail server.

In some embodiments of the current invention, parameter for identifyinga computer readable medium may be a phone number, a serial number, anIMEI number, a MAC address, an IP address, an instant messagingidentity, a process number, a process memory address and any otherparameter which identifies a computer or a program installed on acomputer as well as any combination thereof.

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed. above, a userof an e-mail account might allow to share any of the predeterminedparameters, a derivative or a combination thereof regarding his e-mailpresence status with different watchers, employing a privacy mechanismwhere certain watchers might get the any of: the entire, partial,derivative or non- of the e-mail presence statuses. Selectively,different watchers can get different portions of the e-mail presencestatus.

For example, a first e-mail user gets an e-mail from a second e-mailuser. The first user allows to share information about an e-mail beingforwarded with the second e-mail user. The second e-mail user gets ane-mail presence status in the form of an alert, when the e-mail is beingforwarded to a third e-mail user by the first e-mail user. The e-mailpresence status may also include the time, the name and the address ofthe third e-mail user.

Its yet another example a first e-mail user gets an e-mail from a fourthe-mail user and forwards it to a fifth e-mail user. The first e-mailuser does not allow to share the information about who is the fifthe-mail user, but only about the fact that the e-mail itself was indeedforwarded. The fourth e-mail user will get an alert that the e-mail wasforwarded by the first e-mail user without revealing the name and theaddress of the fifth e-mail user.

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed above, dataregarding activity of either one of the e-mail account, e-mail server,first memory unit, any action performed on the first memory unit, isstored for later analysis.

This analysis may differ from the “predetermined parameters” regardingthe e-mail presence status determination, in the sense that analysis mayproduce data on the user behavior. For example, it may predict userbehavior and change the e-mail presence status accordingly. Example ofsuch user behavior e-mail presence status may be: “user is offline butwill probably be available in two hours”, “user is online, but likely toanswer e-mails in the morning”, “user is online during working hours, hewill probably not respond during the weekend” etc.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 illustrating in a non-limiting manner, asystem for deciding on an e-mail status. A detection agent 901 iscommunicating with different servers, such as: Gmail® 905, Yahoo mailServer® 902, Microsoft Exchange Server Enterprise 903, and other servers904. The detection agent 901 is connected to a server business logicmodule 906 having a rule engine 907 for operating server rules on datareceived from the detection agent 901. Rule engine 907 exposes an API toexternal modules for setting server rules. In addition, the serverbusiness logic module 906 has a cache 908 for storing data on top of adatabase 909.

The server business logic module 906 uses the server rules in order todetermine and decide on the e-mail presence status of one the e-mailaccounts or the user using them. The presence/notification server 910 iseither a presence server known in the arts, implementing asubscribe/publish model, or a plain notification server that notifies auser of an e-mail presence status change. The notification can takeplace as either notify or fetch step. The recipient of the e-mailpresence status is called Watcher User Agent (WUA) for simplicity, whichis either a watcher subscribed to a presentity of one or more e-mailpresence statuses in the case of a presence server or merely anauthorized recipient in the case of plain notification server. Inaddition, there is an e-mail state agent server 911, extracting (byeither notify or fetch step) the e-mail predetermined parameters.Reference is made again to FIG. 9 where the elements of detection agent901, server business logic 906, database 909, and server e-mail stateagent 911, are all integrated into a unit of a monitor server 920.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 illustrating in a no limiting manner,the client side and the server side of the above mentioned system. Theclient is having different modules, such as a GUI, a client e-mail stateagent, a cache etc. It also has an MUA 1001 communicating via one ormore e-mail protocols with e-mail servers 1002. The servers (for examplethe server e-mail state agent 1003 is either receiving notification orfetching vita a communication protocol (e.g. XMPP) with the cliente-mail state agent 1004 operating on the client side. client e-mailstate agent 1004 extracts predetermined parameters from MUA 1001 andfrom other apps 1006 (e.g. detecting information from iOS NotificationCenter on the Apple iPhone device) and in some cases analyses theinformation at client business logic module 1007 before transferring itto sexy mail state agent 1003.

Reference in now made again to FIG. 10, illustrating in a non-limitingmanner, the communication flow between the client side and the serverside. The presence or notification server 1010 delivers data to the WUA1009 in the client side in two steps fetch and notify (i.e. through anAPI). The same goes to the client e-mail state agent 1004 communicatingwith server e-mail state agent 1003 by notify and fetch steps. Othermodules installed on the client side may be GUI 1005. Data is stored inthe client cache 1008.

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed above, actionsperformed on the e-mail account or one or more of the e-mails containedin the e-mail account are updated in the predetermined parameters.

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed above, therule engine being part of server business logic module 906 takes intoaccount generic server rules, server rules on a user basis, server ruleson an e-mail account basis as well as, among others, server rules on perdevice, sender, recipient, subject, keywords, language, time andlocation. The rule engine applies the server rules on the predeterminedparameters. The rule engine module 907 implements privacy mechanismwhere certain watchers such as WUA 1009 are allowed to subscribe toportions of e-mail presence statuses of a specific e-mail account. Theserver rules determine on a per e-mail account, who is allowed to getwhich e-mail presence status and whether in full or in part. Serverbusiness logic module 906 takes into account multiple predeterminedparameters and outputs of its rule engine module 907 to analyze thepredetermined parameters and create multiple e-mail presence statusesfor each of the e-mail accounts at any given time or as triggered by thearrival of one or more new values of predetermined parameters. Thee-mail presence statues are then sent to the presence/notificationserver module 910 which distributes the information to different WUAs.

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed, above, e-mailaccount can forward e-mails to another account or program responsive toreceiving automatically or temporarily an e-mail or its subset (e.g.notification of subject only). When the forwarded instance of the e-mailor its subset is being accessed or any other action is performed on itby the user, depends on its business logic and rule engine, the systemmight treat an access or an action performed on a forwarded instance ofthe e-mail or its subset, similarly to accessing or performing an actionof the original copy of the e-mail and update the predeterminedparameters accordingly and subsequently the e-mail presence status.

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed above, e-mailaccount rules are a set of rules determined by the account user, accountadministrator, spam filter or any other 3.sup.rd party or application.The e-mail account rules perform actions on e-mail account whetherregularly, from time to time, or triggered as a response to an actionperformed on the e-mail account. E-mail account rules may reside on thee-mail server, the e-mail client, or on any proxy in between. The systemis capable of taking these e-mail account rules into account within thebusiness logic and rules engine modules while ignoring an action whichis triggered by an automatic e-mail account rule or an administrator.Thus, the related predetermined parameters would be marked as actionstriggered by automatic e-mail account rules which may not affect thee-mail presence status of the related e-mail account.

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed above,multiple e-mail clients on same device and/or on multiple devices areconfigured with the same e-mail account. Actions performed on the e-mailaccount through one or more of the e-mails clients are recorded withinthe predetermined parameters, and the e-mail presence status might beaffected in a segmented way advising the e-mail account status on a pere-mail client and/or device basis,

In some embodiments of the current invention as disclosed above, ane-mail account user or a 3.sup.rd party might choose to run in aninvisible mode which occurs either at the level of blocking themonitoring server from accessing the e-mail account and/or the level ofthe business logic module which prevents the e-mail presence status frombeing shared with watchers/recipients. A user might elect to completelyblock the e-mail presence status from recipients or selectivity sharethe e-mail presence status with some recipients employing a privacymechanism within the Business logic. Similarly, users may elect to havea manual e-mail presence status always online, invisible mode), atime-dependent e-mail presence status (online between 8 am to 5 pm,offline otherwise) or a location aware e-mail presence status (online atthe office, offline when home).

EXAMPLE 1

In one example of the current invention, a first user would like to sendto a second user an e-mail message. A monitoring server is communicatingwith the e-mail server and monitors the second user activity in hise-mail account.

In case the second user sent three messages in the past half an hour,the monitoring server decides that the second user e-mail presencestatus is: “active”. A notification of this status is sent to the firstuser's e-mail account.

EXAMPLE 2

In another example of the current invention, a user is provided with afirst mobile device, this first mobile device is communicating with ane-mail server, and has other applications installed on it. One of theseapplications is an instant messaging application communicating with asecond mobile device.

A monitoring server is communicating with both mobile devices. Themonitoring server detects the activity of the instant messagingapplication on the first mobile device directly or through an e-mailstate agent client, and in case the application communicated with threedifferent users in the last 20 minutes, it sets the e-mail presencestatus to: “active”, this e-mail presence status is then sent to thee-mail client on the second mobile device.

EXAMPLE 3

In another example of the current invention a tablet is provided with ane-mail program integrating 3 e-mail accounts. In addition, an instantmessaging (IM) application is installed on a tablet, the instantmessaging program is operated via a server. Any message sent or receivedby the IM is going through the server. A monitoring server is connectedto the IM server and counts the data transferred to the tablet by the IMapplication, once the data size exceeds X byte, the monitoring serversets the e-mail presence status of all 3 e-mail accounts to be “online”.

A user having a mobile device is communicating with the owner of thetablet through the IM application (and as a result is having anidentification parameter of the tablet owner), the e-mail presencestatus is sent to the user of the mobile device through the IMapplication.

EXAMPLE 4

In another example of e current invention, an e-mail server is incommunication with a monitoring server. However, the server has aprogram installed on it, which allows a client of an e-mail account todisable access of the monitoring server to his account. Thereby,preventing the ability to determine the e-mail presence status.

EXAMPLE 5

In another example of the current invention, GOGGLE Glass®. areconnected to FACEBOOK® and to GMAIL® e-mail account. An external serveris connected to these glasses through a WiFi connection. A FACEBOOK®.notification appears to the user on the glasses display. The serverdetects this notification, and sets the e-mail account status to be“operating on GOGGLE® Glass®”.

EXAMPLE 6

An e-mail account has a set e-mail rule to automatically forward allreceived e-mails to a second e-mail account. The user logs into thesecond e-mail account which is being monitored by the detection agent.The detection agent detects the user has read the e-mails arrived fromthe first e-mail account recently. This information is sent to thebusiness logic and its rule engine, which in turn decide that the useris currently “online” at both e-mail accounts.

EXAMPLE 7

An iOS mobile device has an e-mail application installed on it. Thee-mail application is connected to an e-mail server using IMAP and SMTPprotocols. In addition, the e-mail server is connected to the Apple PushNotification service (APNs). When an e-mail is received by the e-mailserver it pushes a notification to the iOS mobile device through theAPNs. When a user opens up the notification (which is usually a subsetof the e-mail) the predefined parameters will be updated and the e-mailstatus will change to “online” or “able to read notifications”

EXAMPLE 8

A mobile device user opens his e-mail via an e-mail applicationinstalled on his device. He sends an e-mail to a first friend, the datarelating to this activity is sent to the monitor server. The monitorserver, then sends a notification stating “e-mail sent t minutes ago” toa second friend The t indicates the time passed from sending the e-mailand is updated continuously.

EXAMPLE 9

A mobile device user reads and deletes an e-mail via an e-mailapplication installed on his device. The e-mail was sent from a firstfriend and the data relating to these actions is sent to the monitorserver. The monitor server, then sends a notification stating “youre-mail was read and deleted” to the first friend.

EXAMPLE 10

A mobile device accepts a meeting through his calendar applicationinstalled on his device. The action is detected by the client e-mailstate agent which in turn is sent to the monitor server. The monitorserver, then sends a notification stating “active for email andcalendar” to the work-related watchers subscribed on his e-mail presencestatuses, other watchers will not get these notification as a serverrule was set in advance to allow only work-related watchers to receivecalendar extracted e-mail presence status.

It is the intent of the applicant(s) that all publications, patents andpatent applications referred to in this specification are to beincorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, asif each individual publication, patent or patent application wasspecifically and individually noted when referenced that it is to beincorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation oridentification of any reference in this application shall not beconstrued as an admission that such reference is available as prior artto the present invention. To the extent that section headings are used,they should not be construed as necessarily limiting. In addition, anypriority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its/their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for notifying different users about anemail operation conducted by a user, comprising: at least one processorthat executes a code for: receiving at least one rule predetermined by auser associated with an email account, said at least one rule defines aspecific set of email operations information allowed to be presented ona client device of a respective other user when said email operation isconducted by said user on an email received in said associated emailaccount from said respective other user, wherein said specific set ofemail operations information is a subset of a plurality of emailoperations information related to email operations available to beconducted by said user associated with said email account; monitoring anemail server to gather activity data of the user, associated with saidemail account; analyzing the activity data to identify at least oneemail operation conducted by said user on a certain email received bysaid user in said email account from a second user; and in response tosaid identification, sending an alert to be presented by a client deviceof said second user, notifying said second user about said identified atleast one email operation, said alert includes information related tosaid identified at least one operation according to said at least onerule.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said email operations availableto be conducted by said user are members of a group consisting of:reading an email, deleting an email and forwarding an email.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein said plurality of email operationsinformation are members of a group consisting of: a type of an emailoperation, a name of a different user received said email as a result ofan operation by said user and an address of a different user receivedsaid email as a result of an operation by said user.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one rule is defined based on at least oneof: user basis, email account basis, client device basis, email sender,email recipient, email subject, keywords, language, time and location.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring is performed byextracting parameters from a communication held with at least one emailserver according to at least one of Internet Message Access Protocol(IMAP) and Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) protocol.
 6. The systemof claim 1, wherein said at least one rule is a plurality of rules, eachdefining a certain specific set of email operations information for eachof a respective different other user.
 7. A method for notifyingdifferent users about an email operation conducted by a user,comprising: using at least one processor executing a code for: receivingat least one rule predetermined by a user associated with an emailaccount, said at least one rule defines a specific set of emailoperations information allowed to be presented on a client device of arespective other user when said email operation is conducted by saiduser on an email received in said associated email account from saidrespective other user, wherein said specific set of email operationsinformation is a subset of a plurality of email operations informationrelated to email operations available to be conducted by said userassociated with said email account; monitoring an email server to gatheractivity data of the user, associated with said email account; analyzingthe activity data to identify at least one email operation conducted bysaid user on a certain email received by said user in said email accountfrom a second user; and in response to said identification, sending analert to be presented by a client device of said second user, notifyingsaid second user about said identified at least one email operation,said alert includes information related to said identified at least oneoperation according to said at least one rule.
 8. The method of claim 7,wherein said email operations available to be conducted by said user aremembers of a group consisting of: reading an email, deleting an emailand forwarding an email.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein saidplurality of email operations information are members of a groupconsisting of: a type of an email operation, a name of a different userreceived said email as a result of an operation by said user and anaddress of a different user received said email as a result of anoperation by said user.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein saidplurality of rules is defined based on at least one of: user basis,email account basis, client device basis, email sender, email recipient,email subject, keywords, language, time and location.
 11. The method ofclaim 7, wherein the monitoring is performed by extracting parametersfrom a communication held with at least one email server according to atleast one of Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) and Simple MailTransport Protocol (SMTP) protocol.
 12. The method of claim 7, whereinsaid at least one rule is a plurality of rules, each defining a certainspecific set of email operations information for each of a respectivedifferent other user.
 13. A non-transitory computer program product fornotifying different users about an email operation conducted by a user,the computer program product comprising: a non-transitory computerreadable storage medium; first program instructions to receive at leastone rule predetermined by a user associated with an email account, saidat least one rule defines a specific set of email operations informationallowed to be presented on a client device of a respective other userwhen said email operation is conducted by said user on an email receivedin said associated email account from said respective other user,wherein said specific set of email operations information is a subset ofa plurality of email operations information related to email operationsavailable to be conducted by said user associated with said emailaccount; a second program instructions to monitor an email server togather activity data of the user, associated with said email account; athird program instructions to analyze the activity data to identify atleast one email operation conducted by said user on a certain emailreceived by said user in said email account from a second user; and afourth program instructions to send, in response to said identification,an alert to be presented by a client device of said second user,notifying said second user about said identified at least one emailoperation, said alert includes information related to said identified atleast one operation according to said at least one rule; wherein saidfirst, second, third and fourth program instructions are stored on saidnon-transitory computer readable storage medium.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer program product of claim 13, wherein said email operationsavailable to be conducted by said user are members of a group consistingof: reading an email, deleting an email and forwarding an email.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer program product of claim 13, wherein saidplurality of email operations information are members of a groupconsisting of: a type of an email operation, a name of a different userreceived said email as a result of an operation by said user and anaddress of a different user received said email as a result of anoperation by said user.
 16. The non-transitory computer program productof claim 13, wherein said plurality of rules is defined based on atleast one of: user basis, email account basis, client device basis,email sender, email recipient, email subject, keywords, language, timeand location.
 17. The non-transitory computer program product of claim13, wherein the monitoring is performed by extracting parameters from acommunication held with at least one email server according to at leastone of Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP) and Simple Mail TransportProtocol (SMTP) protocol.
 18. The non-transitory computer programproduct of claim 13, wherein said at least one rule is a plurality ofrules, each defining a certain specific set of email operationsinformation for each of a respective different other user.